Yuli Edelstein and Ayelet Shaked Form New Right-Wing Party to Challenge Netanyahu and Bennett

A new right-wing political alliance is taking shape in Israel ahead of the upcoming elections, potentially reshaping the political landscape and challenging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's future. Knesset member Yuli Edelstein has been in advanced talks with former minister Ayelet Shaked to run together on a new right-wing party list. This marks a significant move for Shaked, who will now compete directly against her former political partner Naftali Bennett, with whom she previously shared a long political path.

Edelstein and Shaked have reportedly reached preliminary agreements on the party's foundational principles and candidate lineup. Notable figures from the Religious Zionist sector mentioned in discussions include David Ben-Zion, deputy head of the Shomron Regional Council, and Shavot Raanan, formerly of the Reservists' Party. Concurrently, the duo is negotiating with former ambassador Gilad Erdan, a close friend and former Likud senior official, although Erdan has yet to make a final decision on joining, complicating the party's formation.

In addition to Erdan, Edelstein and Shaked are seeking to bring in Yoaz Hendel and the Reservists' Party, despite past tensions between Shaked and Hendel from their joint run four years ago. The new party aims to appeal to a nationalistic right-wing electorate, emphasizing settlement and Religious Zionist issues. Their strategic goal is to become kingmakers by pressuring Netanyahu to form a government excluding ultra-Orthodox parties, thereby enabling the passage of the military conscription law.

If this plan fails, Edelstein and Shaked are prepared to pursue a broader coalition majority of 61 Knesset seats with the opposition bloc, provided the conscription law is fully enacted. This development signals a potential realignment within the right-wing camp, with implications for Netanyahu's coalition-building efforts and the future of Israeli governance.